Windows 10 Here To Upgrade Your World #WindowsChampions

On July 13, Microsoft outlined how they would approach our launch to Windows 10. Since then they’ve heard an overwhelming response from the Windows community around the world. We’re at 75 million users and running in 192 countries, going strong. We’re also making fast progress on our broader goal of celebrating people and organizations who do great things. It has been truly exciting to see how people around the world have taken action over the last month to #UpgradeYourWorld. Whether they’re sharing a meal with someone less fortunate, donating items to those in need or visiting a secondary school in Kenya, people all over the world have embraced the movement and joined in to make a difference – whether big or small.

Today marks another milestone in our yearlong Upgrade Your World initiative. After tallying fan votes and the outpouring of responses on social media, the Beagle Freedom Project has emerged as the winner of the tenth global nonprofit partnership. Their mission is to save the lives of laboratory animals and change the lives of people through these rescue operations. They will receive a $500,000 monetary donation and be upgraded with Microsoft technology and services to help aid the future success of the organization.

Preschool teacher instructing students how to count numbers

Starting today, people in 10 countries around the world have yet another opportunity to use social media make a difference in their local communities and be a part of the Upgrade Your World initiative. Fans in Australia (AU), China (CH), France (FR), Germany (DE), India (IN), Japan (JP), Kenya (KE), Mexico (MX), United Kingdom (UK) and United States (USA) can vote via social media for their favorite local nonprofit to become eligible to receive a donation. To cast a vote, simply share the organization in a post on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #UpgradeYourWorld [countryabbreviation] #vote, and tag the @[nonprofit]. Voting begins today and will award 10 organizations from 10 different markets a $50,000 donation.

September also marks the beginning of our first global partnership of the Upgrade Your World initiative with Save the Children. We were fortunate enough to see the real impact this organization first-hand at a preschool in a remote community in Vietnam, which can be seen in this video below.

Throughout the month, we will be working with Save the Children to provide them with a software upgrade, so they can do more good and create more impact around the world. This has truly been an inspiring way to kick off a new generation of Windows and we look forward to sharing more great momentum. In the meantime, you can follow along here for more information on the nonprofit partners we are working with as part of the Upgrade Your World initiative. Please don’t forget to cast a vote of your own.